Wood splitting apparatus

Abstract

A rotatable threaded cone is secured at the front of a support mounting having a bevelled end which facilitates the passage of a block of wood split by the cone such that large blocks may be split in one operation without the need to withdraw the block to reintroduce the cone into the block at a different place. A platform is pivoted by means of pivot bolt at the end of a support arm to which it is also connected by means of a ratchet assembly and bolts whereby undue pressure on the platform during a block splitting operation will result in the downward pivoting of the platform to thus relieve the pressure on the cone and the drive thereto.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for splitting blocks of wood comprising: a rotatable block-splitting threaded cone mounted on a stationary mounting,   framework connected with said mounting for supporting said mounting,   a block-supporting platform mounted on said framework and positioned below and to one side of said cone,   said cone, said platform and said framework defining a path of travel along which a block of wood can move while being split, said path of travel being unobstructed beyond the stationary mounting, and   said mounting including bevel means for transferring the pressure tending to restore a split block to its original condition from said cone to said mounting as the split block moves from the base of the cone to said mounting.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bevel means comprises a bevelled surface located adjacent said cone, said surface separating said cone and said mounting; and said platform defines a cut-away portion, one edge of which increases in angle and distance away from an adjacent edge of said cone from its apex to its base to thereby increase the width of said block travel path.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said platform, toward its end nearer said base of said cone, includes means for pivotally supporting said platform at its said end so that said platform can pivot downwardly from a first normal, in use, position to a second pivoted position upon application of a predetermined excess pressure incident thereon, the resultant deflection being proportional to said excess pressure. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said supporting means comprises a downwardly extending ratchet arm having a plurality of grooves therein engageable by at least one corrugation of a ratchet plate secured to said ratchet arm and adjustably biassed into abutting relationship therewith. 
     
     
       5. The wood-splitting apparatus of claim 4 wherein said grooves on said ratchet arm are disposed at top and bottom portions thereof, and are respectively inclined so as to converge toward one another whereby said abutting relationship can continue even when said platform is, in pivoting, raised or lowered from its said normal position.